I am ready to go back to hobby sawing for myself.

[paul case]

Keep looking Jim. I think you will or maybe you already have found your niche.

PC

[ozarkgem]

There are a lot of sentiments here that I can relate to.
Last paycheck was almost 4 years ago.  Just got tired of the turds out there that think the workplace is a great location to play their little power games.  I tend to think the jobsite is where we should get together and get the job done right!!

My wife and I made the move to our 80 acres and started working out several small lines of income.
I too am inclined to do everything for myself and have built up a serious pile of tools and machines.
Neat thing is that, if I need this tool do build something for me...the people around me need it too.
Seems like every system I set up, turns into another thing to bring in money.  Now I'm not saying we're making big money, but we are making the bills and starting to get some good flow through a few of our lines of work.  Best part is, I get bored easily, so the many angles keeps things fresh.

Most importantly, we are happy improving our little paradise and even the bad days are far better than the old days putting up with a boss I can't get any work out of.

Most days...I wake up about 9am ( not a morning person), surf for tools and skills on the net, and start leaning on something by 10 or 11am.  We work till we're done with the task which may be 7-9pm.
Not much time right now for play as we're leaning hard to get so much built.  But we decide what each day will be and I really like that freedom.

Yesterday, it was Sunny and I needed some parts and supplies from town, 150 miles South.  Woke up and hopped in the Cobra!!  Had a great day running about 300 miles of premium highway and communing with my favorite toy!

Today we're back to fixing things and filling the kiln.   I wouldn't change a thing!!

Another Mighty Mite mill owner. So far I think its you and me.

[ozarkgem]

Keep looking Jim. I think you will or maybe you already have found your niche.

PC

Hey Paul
I kind of like your set up. You don't deal with people that much. I got a call from a customer in Racine. He is ready to get back on his project. I think once I get started on it his friends will see what I do and it will go from there. I still plan on sawing. I just don't want to deal with the "I need 2 1x6's" and sort the whole pile to get the ones they want. If the job in Racine takes off I plan on moving to Neosho area.Brandon has a pretty sweet setup also. No dealing with people.

[AlaskaLes]

Yup, just you and me on that list.  I haven't seen them mentioned often, but it's a VERY well built mill and I'm making it even better.  Mine is a Mk4B.  Which one are you running?
I don't work it a whole lot of the time.  Upgraded to Cooks guides and 1.5" bands cuts really flat and pretty fast.  Also nice to be able to do 25.5' beams.  I was initially planning on a clean, used TK B20 and then this showed up for a good price and better options.
I have been planning on avoiding the guys looking for 6 boards.  I'd rather spend the time building something with those 6 boards that's worth more than 6 board Charlie is going to bring in...lol.
Good luck with your upcoming job.

[ladylake]

Even with lots a Amish mills here  things are going good here also, I do a lot of custom sawing and sell lumber for trailer decking and fencing, very little small sales, side lumber goes for flooring rather cheap but at least its gone. The only regret is that I should have started when I was 25 instead of 55.. Being portable I've even sawed for the Amish 3 times, I think they'd rather have me saw than haul their logs.  Steve

[ozarkgem]

Yup, just you and me on that list.  I haven't seen them mentioned often, but it's a VERY well built mill and I'm making it even better.  Mine is a Mk4B.  Which one are you running?
I don't work it a whole lot of the time.  Upgraded to Cooks guides and 1.5" bands cuts really flat and pretty fast.  Also nice to be able to do 25.5' beams.  I was initially planning on a clean, used TK B20 and then this showed up for a good price and better options.
I have been planning on avoiding the guys looking for 6 boards.  I'd rather spend the time building something with those 6 boards that's worth more than 6 board Charlie is going to bring in...lol.
Good luck with your upcoming job.

Can't remember the model no. Its a 1985 version. They are heavy built. Mine only had 2 hyd valves on it when I bought it. Now there is 11 valves. Full hydraulic now.
6 board Charlie :D :D

[paul case]

Jim,
I know how depressing it is dealing with John Q. Public. I may have forgotten to show you the $1000 worth of custom cuts from my logs sitting in the end of the building waiting on the orderee to pic them up and pay.  Makes me think about quiting custom work. However I have a few that work out to my benefit.

With ties, cants, grade and pallet stringers, I could easily make enough to justify only sawing my own logs into my own products. It may come to that for me. I  know that we do better at cutting the same things all the time. Scott(my 21yo son) has been on cants and ties with 4/4 from the sides for a long time now and seldom has a mis cut or has to take a shim. I may even take up building houses or cabins, who knows?

PC

[ozarkgem]

Jim,
I know how depressing it is dealing with John Q. Public. I may have forgotten to show you the $1000 worth of custom cuts from my logs sitting in the end of the building waiting on the orderee to pic them up and pay.  Makes me think about quiting custom work. However I have a few that work out to my benefit.

With ties, cants, grade and pallet stringers, I could easily make enough to justify only sawing my own logs into my own products. It may come to that for me. I  know that we do better at cutting the same things all the time. Scott(my 21yo son) has been on cants and ties with 4/4 from the sides for a long time now and seldom has a mis cut or has to take a shim. I may even take up building houses or cabins, who knows?

PC

I like the cabin idea. I can do rustic.